Bulgaria’s coastline stretches for close to 400 km alongside the Black Sea, with hundreds of stunning golden sand beaches to explore.
While the popular resort towns such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands attract the majority of tourists with their lively nightlife and modern amenities, some of the most beautiful beaches in Bulgaria are hidden away from the crowds.
If you’re seeking a more secluded and peaceful experience, away from the commercialised resorts, you’re in the right place.
In this blog post you’ll find the most preserved wild beaches in Bulgaria. Where you can soak up the sun, swim in the crystal clear waters and enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Prepare for your trip to Bulgaria
🏡 Book your accommodation in advance – find the best hotel deals for Bulgaria here.
🤿 Find the best tours in Bulgaria – book your adventures in Bulgaria for an unforgettable holiday.
🚗 Rent a car – the best and easiest way to get around Bulgaria is by renting a car.
☂️ Travel Insurance – make sure you’re covered before your trip! I always use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance which is super affordable and flexible.
The most beautiful wild beaches in Bulgaria
1. Durankulak
Durankulak is the longest wild beach strip in Bulgaria and also the last beach on the northern Bulgarian coast before the border with Romania.
It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Bulgaria with unspoiled sand dunes and crystal clear blue water.
There’s a camping area nearby where you can stay the night but you won’t find any hotels or restaurants in sight. Just pure nature and wilderness.
What’s also unique about Durankulak is the lake of the same name that is right next to the beach. Durankulak lake is one of the biggest in the area and quite popular with fishermen and camping enthusiasts alike.
2. Krapets
Krapets is a small village near Durankulak, known for its unspoilt beauty and pristine wild beaches with a seemingly endless coastline that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The main beach is surrounded by nothing more than lush greenery. And even in the peak summer season you’ll be able to find yourself a quiet spot to soak in the sun, enjoy the fresh scent of salt water in the air and tranquillity.
There’s a campsite near the beach where you can camp or you can stay in a guest house in the village. Towards the end of the village you’ll find a few small restaurants on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea. It’s a great place to stop by for lunch and enjoy the views.
3. Veleka Beach
Tucked away near the town of Sinemorets, Veleka beach is one of the most unique beaches on the Bulgarian coastline.
The long stretch of golden sands separates the wild waters of the Black Sea and the calm stream of the Veleka river. Surrounded by lush greenery, Veleka Beach is a tranquil oasis where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the views of the sea and the river.
The beach is perfect for water sports enthusiasts – the sea coast is great for surfing and kite boarding, while the river’s tranquillity is ideal for paddle boarding and kayaking.
You really get the best of both within a few steps from each other. A truly beautiful place like no other in Bulgaria!
4. Irakli
Irakli is one of the more popular wild beaches in Bulgaria where locals often come here in the summer for wild camping in the nearby forest alongside the long sandy beach.
In my opinion, this is one of the best beaches in Bulgaria with some of the clearest water and stunning wild surroundings.
Recently there’s been a modern beach bar open just next to the wild beach, with luxury beach house accommodation, which has caused a bit of controversy over destroying the wilderness of the area.
Nevertheless, the wild side of the beach is still very well preserved and hopefully stays like this for years to come.
5. Bolata beach
Near the city of Kavarna, the stunning cove of Bolata amazes with its turquoise waters, soft sandy beach and the surrounding cliffs.
It’s one of the most beautiful and wild beaches in Bulgaria and it’s quite popular with locals in the summer months.
The beach is part of the Kaliakra Natural Reserve, home to various bird species in the area. It’s tucked away down a dirt road, making it more secluded and unreachable for mass tourism.
While here make sure to visit the nearby Kaliakra cape, one of the most beautiful sites on the northern Bulgarian coastline.
6. Silistar
Silistar is the most southern beach on the Bulgarian coastline, right before the border with Turkey.
It’s located in a small bay in the midst of the Strandzha mountains, surrounded by lush greenery, rocky cliffs and sandy dunes.
Due to the protection of the bay, the beach almost always enjoys calm waters making it perfect for swimming.
In recent years, part of the beach has been turned into a ‘paid’ area with umbrellas and sun loungers, with a small cafe offering food and drinks. Nevertheless, the bigger part of the beach still remains wild and untouched by development.
7. Kastrich Beach
If you’re feeling adventurous and you’re here for the absolute wild untouched beaches, this one’s for you.
A few kilometres south from Silistar and on the way to the Turkish border, you’ll find Kastrich beach.
It’s tucked away in a small cove hidden from the mass tourism and reachable only by a hiking trail crossing through a forest. The beach is located in a protected natural area so driving to the beach is prohibited.
Using Google Maps will help you locate the dirt road going towards the beach and you can park your car in the meadow at the start of the trail.
From here, continue walking for about 20 minutes until you reach this hidden peace of paradise with its surrounding rock cliffs and untouched natural beauty.
Just note that the beach is technically in a guarded border zone but it hasn’t been a problem for visitors so far.
8. Karadere Beach
Karadere Beach is popular amongst local tourists, being one of the wildest beaches on the Bulgarian coast. It’s located about an hour drive south of Varna and is a great place to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature.
What’s unique about it is that it has absolutely no infrastructure and it’s only reachable by a dirt road inaccessible for most cars.
It’s a great place to camp under the stars and completely disconnect from the outside world, enjoying the beautiful wilderness and white sandy beach.
9. Tuylenovo
While it’s not a sandy beach, Tuylenovo is a scenic rocky coast worth visiting in the northern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
The beauty of Tuylenovo lies in the majestic cliffs alongside the coastline, with unique shapes, folds and caves formed by the power of the crashing waves throughout the years.
Tuylenovo is perfect for a day of exploring the area and admiring the rock formations, and it’s especially a favourite of photographers with its picturesque views.
If you’re staying in the area, I would highly recommend you come here for sunrise – it’s a truly magical view over the rocks!
10. Shabla
Shabla beach is perfect for those looking for the serene ruggedness of wild beaches and don’t mind the waves!
Surrounded by hills and forests, it’s perfect for wild campers and those who want to get away from it all.
Since the beach is very long and open, it’s unprotected from underwater currents which cause big powerful waves all year round.
It definitely doesn’t offer the same swimming conditions as the rest of the beaches on this list but is no less beautiful. Just make sure you’re careful when going in the water.
Tips for visiting wild beaches in Bulgaria
⋙ You’ll need a car – there’s no public transport that can take you to the wild beaches in Bulgaria so you’ll definitely need a car. The bigger the car the better as some beaches are only reachable by dirt road. I always use RentalCars.com for the the best car rental deals.
⋙ Bring a beach umbrella – Since these beaches are wild and have mostly no infrastructure, it’s especially important to bring an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun. Don’t underestimate the sun, especially in the peak summer months.
⋙ Prepare food and water – Most of the beaches won’t have anywhere to buy supplies so make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water and snacks to keep the hunger away.
⋙ Bring cash – Some of the beaches on this list are near small towns and villages where you might be able to find small shops or restaurants to buy some drinks and snacks. Make sure to bring cash in the local currency (Bulgarian lev) to pay as smaller shops may not have card machines.
⋙ Bring sunscreen – the last thing you want is to get sunburnt and ruin your holiday!
Final thoughts
From lesser known and hidden gems only reachable on foot and dirt roads, to more easily accessible and popular beaches, Bulgaria definitely has a lot to offer when it comes to its wild coastline.
From north to south, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice when it comes to places to soak up the sun. If you’re driving, there’s literally nothing stopping you from exploring some of the wild beaches in Bulgaria and escape the crowds in the popular seaside resorts.
Just remember – clean after yourself and protect the natural area. Let’s keep these beaches as pristine as possible so more people can enjoy their beauty!
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